Your signature line (the sign off at the bottom of emails) can be used for loads of different purposes, the most common and boring being to tell people who you are! However, if you aren’t already you could use it to sell something or tell people what you’re up to that might benefit them!
If you have products then include a link and watch your sales soar.
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By Joe Gregory of ReThink Press
Do you find days that you are flagging and uninterested in what you do?
Do you sometimes feel unmotivated and a struggle to get going?
Sometimes things happen in our everyday life that throws us off our path and we can lose confidence and let in self doubt.
What do you do when that happens?
You can curl up in a ball under the duvet and hibernate or you can get out there and kick a**!
Here are some ways to kick you up the behind and to help yourself!
Who inspires you? Who do you admire? If you know them get in touch as they will help to put you back on the correct path. If it is someone well known then read their blog, FB posts, book, website whatever to give you back your confidence and to remind yourself what you are doing in this world.
What music makes you happy? What music gets you up to dance – is it trance, rock and roll, techno, classical, Pharell Williams ‘Happy’, Play whatever music moves you whether it is the song, music, words or the singer – get up and boogie!
Is there are favourite cafe or restaurant that you love? Do you love the building or decoration or the people inside? Do you like to watch the world go by? Take yourself out for some me time and join the world.
What books do you like? It may be an entrepreneurial one like Richard Branson or Napoleon Hill ‘Think and Grow Rich’ or it may be a spiritual one ‘The Secret’ or a self help book about marketing by Dee Blick. Grab a book and a quiet corner or visit the library and lose yourself in a good book and be inspired.
Are you creative? Do you like to paint, draw, knit, sew, bake, sing – do what brings you joy.
Do you inspire yourself? When you are feeling unmotivated take a look at your journal and see what you have achieved. If you do not journal write down what you have accomplished with your business – you will surprise yourself.
What places lift you? Do you dream of far off countries or picture yourself on hot deserted beaches? Picture yourself there or print off pictures of your favourite place – it might be walking in the hills or moors searching for tors. It is a place that will feed your soul.
Watch a good movie.
Surround yourself with things that inspire and motivate you – pictures, flowers, aromatherapy oils,
Open up to feeding your spirit and watch your energy levels, motivation and inspiration soar!
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By Alison Brown
of Ali’s Therapy Academy
Is this going to be your year? Is this going to be the year that everything you have wanted in your business comes to you not just by wanting but by hard work and determination?
We all know the law of attraction, but you do know that you have to do something towards getting it!
A great start is a Vision Board and to set goals towards getting there. A Vision Board is great to see what you are aiming for whether it be more money, better health, better way of life, a nice car etc but you need to set your goals to help you and keep you focused along the way. Review your previous year to see if you can make any changes towards improvements and goals for this year.
Now is the time to use a marketing planner, business journal, wall planner – anything that works for you, that you can put your goals, ideas, thoughts, promotions and campaigns, networking meetings, courses, workshops on to see you through the year. Don’t stumble through every month, put ideas in your diary for marketing, social media and blogging each month. They can always be changed or added to but it saves the blank mind every time you get to the computer to do the work!
There is a good saying that is now getting round businesses which is “Don’t just work IN your business, work ON your business”. This means that don’t spend all your time providing the therapies and working on other people, you must also work on your business – preparing marketing, looking at ideas, investing in yourself, reviewing and updating website, contacting your database and past clients – anything that will create new clients or reactivate old ones. If you can, find an hour to 90 minutes a day to do this especially first thing in the morning before your day starts, but if difficult try a couple of times a week or on the weekend.
You do have to put yourself out there and let people know you exist. Remind them that you are there. The more you do this and work ON your business the more 2014 will be a success for you!
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By Alison Brown
of Ali’s Therapy Academy
This is a busy time of year for most people getting ready for Christmas, with shopping, on their feet all day, feeling tired and stressed.
So hopefully you are looking after them to manage with this time of year but also help them when they are buying gifts for everyone! Do not miss out on this marketing opportunity.
There is still plenty of time for marketing opportunities and promoting offers.
Did you know that Monday 2nd December is the busiest day for spending on the internet? Do you have anything available on your website for people to buy – products, gift vouchers etc? In your marketing offer that availability.
Promote your gift vouchers on social media sites, in your clinic/salon/treatment room and in your emails to your clients. Also offer them in gift packages with products or to gift wrap them free of charge – you can make them into a scroll or Christmas cracker with Christmas confetti inside!, provide them in a Christmas Card.
If you have a salon/clinic/treatment room, have some ready made up for clients to buy straight away and also they are able to see what they look like. Remember to have pictures of them available on your website and social media.
You can have Countdown To Christmas Offer. These can be a different offers every day or every week towards Christmas like an advent calendar (subject to what you are able to offer in products and therapies) such as beauty therapies – eye brow shape, manicure, file and polish, massage, reflexology, onsite massage, eyelash perm/tint, products, ready blended oils, candles, cd’s, books, etc.
Provide a raffle for a luxury prize – maybe a head to toe therapy package – with raffle tickets at £1 and money raised towards your favourite charity.
You still have time to organise a open day/evening event at your salon/clinic or if you provide treatments at your home you could run one there. I have in the past organised open evenings as a thank you to my clients and if they bring somebody new they get free raffle tickets. At these evenings they can have taster treatments and drinks and nibbles are supplied with products etc available to buy. Even in my own home I have had around 30 people attend! And all sent home after a lovely evening with a goodie bag filled with sweets, samples of products, a candle, marketing materials such as a bookmark, key ring and fridge magnet and a CD of calming music.
Have a think and research what others are doing. This could be your busiest time of year! Look after your clients and make them feel special and they will keep coming back for more.
Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year
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By Alison Brown
of Ali’s Therapy Academy
This morning I woke up and it was ‘one of those days’. No reason I can think of as business is going well and getting busier, I have great customers, great friends and great family. So what is there to feel down about? Who knows, so I’ll just put it down as ‘one of those days’ and blame my hormones.
As I was feeling sorry for myself (one voice thinking up all the negative things and the other trying valiantly to counteract each argument) it got me thinking. I know for a fact that I’m not the only one that has these sorts of moments, I know many people who can go days, or even weeks, with these sorts of negative thoughts running through their head when if you could just flick the switch from negative to positive the world would look like a completely different place. I’m thankful that 99% of the time I live in a positive space and only dip into negative thought patterns now and then.
So what can we do to shift our mindset when we get into these negative moments?
Well there is of course the option to wallow in this sorrowful state, but what good is that to anyone? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that your should block your emotions (that will only come back go bite you on the bum later on!), more that you should accept them, feel them, let them flow through you and then find a way move on.
So here’s a few ways that might help you make that shift:
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is definitely a good thing to practice when you’re feeling down. Try finding a quiet space to listen to a guided meditation or do your own. Even 1 minute just focusing on your breath can help soothe the soul and take the edge off. You can read more about mindfulness here.
Friends
You know the ones you can count on to lift you up when you’re feeling down. Make time to meet up or have a chat on the phone or over the net. It’s not about moaning about the bad things, more talking up the good things and working together to remind you all the reasons why life is good.
Pamper yourself
Everyone has different likes and dislikes when it comes to pampering. Personally I love a massage or a short while lightly cooking in a sauna. Theres also something luxurious about having a bath and then curling up on or in your bed to read a good book! Whatever floats your boat, make some time to give yourself some ‘me time’ love.
Get out and about
Getting some fresh air is usually a good way to get your mind off stuff or help you work through it. Stretch you legs on a walk somewhere beautiful, maybe take your bike or horse out for a ride or even go for a run to run off those blues.
Sleep
With the rush of everyday life it’s easy to get caught up in it all and lose some sleep. Try a short ‘cat nap’ or if you need it a full blown sleep to help you clear your mind and catch up on some much needed Zzzz’s. It may be that with that extra sleep tomorrow really will be a better day.
Hugs
It’s been proven that humans thrive when they receive hugs daily. So go grab yourself a hug and give both yourself a your hug-ee a little huggable boost.
So if you’re feeling down, overwhelmed or any other negative feeling, remember you’re not alone. There are loads more great ways to help shift yourself into a different mood and I’d love to see what you do yourself to help lift your own, or others, spirits. Please comment below with your own suggestions…
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Author: Sophie Jewry
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